2008 BMW X3 3.0SI automatic transmission fluid

Cockpit
12
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are identified
with
+ are checked for proper function each
time you turn the ignition key. They each light
up once for different periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored sys-
tem, the corresponding lamp will either fail to go
o u t w h e n t h e e n g i n e i s s t a r t e d , o r i t w i l l c o m e o n
again during normal driving. Detailed informa-
tion is provided on the specified pages.
Battery charge current
+114
Headlamp flasher41
High beams60
Engine oil
+102
Driving stability control systems/
ABS Antilock Brake System
+51
ABS Antilock Brake System/chassis
control system for Canadian models
Brake system
+
With handbrake released53, 104
With handbrake engaged39
With other warning lamps53
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
Brake pads
+85
Please fasten safety belt
+32
Airbags
+57
Front fog lamps61
Automatic transmission +40
Turn signals41
DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive
+ 51, 52
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
+52
Service Engine Soon
+106
Service Engine Soon warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Check Gas Cap
* +92
Engine electronics
+38
Topping off washer fluid43
Coolant low104
Flat Tire Monitor
* +54
Tire Pressure Monitor
* +55
Lamp defective59
Cruise control44
With ignition key in position 2, this
warning lamp indicates that a door
or the liftgate is open.

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
85
Hills
To prevent overheating and reduced effi-
ciency of the brake system, drive long or
steep downhill grades in the gear in which the
least braking is required. Otherwise, even light
but continuous pressure on the brake can lead
to high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
The braking action of the engine can be further
intensified by downshifting, all the way down to
first gear if need be. This strategy helps you
avoid placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem. Downshifting in manual mode of automatic
transmission, refer to page41. When descend-
ing hills slowly, use HDC Hill Descent Control,
refer to page52.
Never drive with the clutch depressed,
with the transmission in neutral, or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, you will
have neither the braking action of the engine or
nor its power assistance to the brakes or steer-
ing.
Never allow floor mats, carpeting, or other arti-
cles to protrude into the area around the brake
or accelerator pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimal
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up.
The brake pads have reached their min-imum pad thickness. Have brake pads replaced
immediately.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating of the tire and increases the rate at
which damage develops inside the tires. The
ultimate result can assume the form of a sudden
blow-out.<
Make sure that no fluids leak in the cargo
area; as otherwise the vehicle could be
damaged.<
Determining load limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX lbs. or YYY kg. Otherwise, the vehicle
may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
990 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
240 lbs.:
990 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 240 lbs.

Giving and receiving assistance
118
Starting engine
1.Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and
let it run at a slightly elevated idling speed
for a few minutes.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the connection sequence.
If need be, have the battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow starting and towing
Obey all applicable laws and guidelines
for tow starting and towing.<
Do not allow any passengers other than
the driver to ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using tow fitting
The threaded tow fitting is stored in the
onboard tool kit, refer to page107, and must
always remain in the vehicle. It can be screwed
in at the front or rear of the BMW.
Only use the tow fitting that comes with
the vehicle and screw it in as far as it will
go. Use the tow fitting only for towing on roads.
Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do
not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise,
the tow fitting and the vehicle can be dam-
aged.<
Access to screw thread
Front
Push the cover in the bumper out of the recess
with a screwdriver.
Rear
Press on the mark provided on the cover.
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1; otherwise, the steering lock will
engage, making it impossible to steer the vehi-
cle. There is no power assist with the engine
switched off. It is therefore necessary to exert
increased effort for braking and steering.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page40.
Do not exceed a towing speed of
45 mph/70 km/h and a towing distance
of 90 miles/150 km; otherwise, the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<

Everything from A to Z
126
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System51
– indicator lamp12
Acceleration assistance
– refer to Acceleration
assistant53
– refer to DSC51
Acceleration assistant53
Accessories, refer to For your
own safety5
Accident, refer to Receiving
assistance116
Activated-charcoal filter68
Adaptive Head Light60
Adding engine oil103
Adjusting seats28
– electrically28
– mechanically28
– mechanically, Sports seat29
Airbags57
– front passenger side,
deactivating35,57
– indicator lamp for front
passenger airbags58
– sitting safely27
– warning lamp58
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode64,68
Air conditioner63
Air distribution
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control67
Airing, refer to
Ventilation65,68
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation65,68
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure94Air vents, refer to
Ventilation65,68
Air volume64
– adjusting manually67
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications93
Alarm system25
– avoiding unintentional
alarms26
All-season tires, refer to
Special characteristics of
winter tires98
All wheel drive, refer to
xDrive52
Anchorage points78
Antifreeze
– coolant104
– washer fluid43
Antilock Brake System
ABS51
– indicator lamp12
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system19,25
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights124
Approved engine oils103
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights124
Armrest
– front73
– rear73
Artificial leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray74
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control68
Audio device, external74
Automatic
– air distribution67
– air volume67
– recirculated-air control
AUC68Automatic car wash, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control66
Automatic cruise control44
Automatic curb monitor33
Automatic deactivation of
front passenger airbags57
Automatic headlamp
control60
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
– indicator lamp41
– interlock38
– selector lever interlock40
– shiftlock40
– towing118
– tow starting119
AUTO program67
Average fuel consumption49
– setting units48
Average speed49
– setting units48
Avoiding unintentional
alarms26
Axle loads, refer to
Weights124
B
Backrest, refer to Seats28
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support29
Backup lamps, bulb
replacement110
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit117
Bar, towing119

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
127
Battery114
– charging114
– disposal114
– indicator lamp12
– jump starting117
– power failure114
– remote control18
– warning lamp114
Belts, refer to Safety belts32
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders72
Blower, refer to
– Air volume64
– Air volume, adjusting
manually67
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance
system105
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders72
Brake assistant51
– warning lamp53
Brake fluid104
– level104
– warning lamp104
Brake force display56
Brake lamps110
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb12,59
– replacing bulbs110
– two-stage56
Brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– warning lamp85
Brake pedal, refer to Safe
braking84
Brake rotors
– brake system82
– breaking-in82
Brakes84,104
– ABS51,84
– brake fluid104
– brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– handbrake39
– indicator/warning lamp12Brake system104
– brake fluid104
– brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– disk brakes85
– warning lamp
104
Brake wear warning
– refer to Brake pads85
– warning lamp104
Breakdown service, refer to
Receiving assistance116
Breaking-in82
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs107
Buttons on steering wheel13
C
California law
– Event Data Recorders106
– Proposition 65 Warning5
Calling, refer to telephone
Owner's Manual
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders72
Capacities124
Capacity, cargo area124
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo, securing86
Cargo area22,76
– capacity124
– cover77
– emergency release, refer to
Opening manually22
– enlarging76
– floor cover78
– foldable rear backrest76
– hatch, refer to Liftgate22
– lashing eyes78
– opening from outside22
– opening with remote
control20
– power socket74Cargo loading85
– load86
– securing cargo86
– stowing cargo86
– vehicle85
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for carpet, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for vehicle finish, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Car keys, refer to Key set18
Car phone, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Car phone preparation75
Car radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Car wash84
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Cellphone, refer to separate
operating instructions
Central locking system19
– interior21
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing a wheel111
Changing gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– manual transmission40
Changing wheels97

Everything from A to Z
130 Front fog lamps61
– replacing bulbs110
Front passenger airbags
– automatic deactivation57
– status58
Fuel93
– average consumption49
– capacity124
– gauge46
– quality93
– saving83
Fuel cap92
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge46
Fuel filler door92
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction92
Fuel gauge46
Fuel tank contents, refer to
Filling capacities124
Full preparation package
mobile phone, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Fuses115
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control69
Gasoline
– refer to Fuel quality93
– refer to Fuel
specifications93
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge46
Gear indicator in automatic
transmission with
Steptronic40
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission40
General driving notes84
Glove compartment72
Grills, refer to
Ventilation65,68
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights124
Ground clearance87
H
Halogen lamps108
Handbrake39
– indicator lamp39
Hands-free microphone75
– refer to Car phone
preparation75
Hazard warning flashers10
HDC Hill Descent Control52
Head airbags57
Headlamp control,
automatic60
Headlamp flasher41
– indicator lamp12
Headlamps108
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– replacing bulbs107
Headlamp washer reservoir
– capacity, refer to Filling
capacities124
– refer to Washer fluid43
Headlamp washer system
– headlamp washing43
– washer fluid43
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light60
Head restraints29
– sitting safely27
Heated mirrors33
Heated rear window
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control68
Heated seats31
Heated steering wheel34
Heater
– rear window64,68
– windshield washer jets43
Heating
– exterior mirror33
– seats31
– steering wheel34
Heating and ventilation63,66
Heavy cargo, refer to Cargo
loading85
Height, refer to
Dimensions123Height adjustment
– seats28
– steering wheel34
High beams60
– headlamp flasher60
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs109
High Performance Synthetic
Oil103
Hill-climbing ability, refer to
Driving on poor roads87
Hill Descent Control HDC
52
Hills85
Holder for beverages72
Hood100
Horn10
Hotel function18
Hot exhaust system84
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to Brake assistant51
Hydroplaning84
I
Icy conditions, refer to
Outside temperature
warning48
Ignition38
Ignition key18
Ignition key positions, refer to
Ignition lock38
Ignition lock38
Imprint2
Indicator/warning lamp
– airbags58
– alarm system25
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– brakes104
– coolant temperature47
– DSC52
– engine temperature47
– Flat Tire Monitor54
– fog lamps61
– front passenger airbags58
– reserve46
– safety belt warning32
– Tire Pressure Monitor55

Everything from A to Z
134 Selector lever
– automatic transmission40
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
Selector lever interlock, refer
to Shiftlock40
Selector-lever positions,
automatic transmission40
Service, refer to Receiving
assistance116
Service and warranty6
Service Engine Soon38,106
Service Interval
Display47,105
Setting interior
temperature64,67
Shifting gears in automatic
transmission with
Steptronic41
Shiftlock40
Side airbags57
Side tilt, permissible87
Side turn signals, bulb
replacement110
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely27
– with airbags27
– with head restraint27
– with safety belt27
Ski bag75
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray74
Snow chains99
Soft drink can holder, refer to
Cup holders72
SOS, refer to Initiating an
emergency call116
Spare fuses115
Spare key18
Spare wheel, refer to Compact
wheel112
Speed
– with compact wheel114
– with winter tires98
Speedometer, refer to
Instrument cluster11
Split rear backrest, refer to
Enlarging cargo area76Sport program, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic41
Sports seat29
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems51
Starting, refer to Starting
engine38
Starting difficulties
– at very low temperatures39
– jump starting117
Starting engine38
Starting off uphill, refer to
Acceleration assistant53
Status of passenger
airbags58
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steering lock38
Steering wheel10,13
– adjustment34
– buttons on steering
wheel13
– heater34
– lock38
Steering wheel with
buttons13
Steptronic40
Storage compartments73
Storage package73
Storage package nets73
Storage space, refer to Cargo
area76
Storing desired speed, refer to
Cruise control44
Storing seat position, refer to
Seat and mirror memory31
Storing tires98
Straps, refer to Cargo
loading85
Sunroof, refer to Panorama
glass sunroof23
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching cooling function on/
off64,67
Switching off engine39
Symbols4
T
Tachometer46
Tail lamps110
– indicator lamp, defective
bulb59
– replacing bulbs110
Tank, washing systems, refer
to Washer fluid43
Tank capacity124
Technical data122
Technical modifications5
Telephone, refer to separate
operating instructions
Temperature
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control67
– tires97
Temperature display
– outside temperature48
– outside temperature
warning48
– setting units48
Temperature gauge47
Temperature of coolant, refer
to Coolant thermometer47
Temperature warning48
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control44
Thigh support adjustment29
Three point safety belts32
Tightening torque of lug bolts,
refer to After mounting113
Tilt alarm sensor
– remote control20
– switching off20,26
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror33
Tire inflation pressures94
– monitoring, refer to Tire
Pressure Monitor55
– restoring94
Tire Pressure Monitor55
– malfunction warnings55
– resetting system55
– system limitations55
– warning lamp55
Tire replacement97

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
135
Tires
– age96
– breaking-in82
– changing97
– changing, also refer to Wheel
changes111
– coding96
– condition97
– damage97
– DOT Quality Grades96
– flat111
– inflation pressure94
– inflation pressure table95
– size, refer to Correct wheels
and tires98
– storage98
– temperature97
– traction96
– tread97
– tread wear96
– Uniform Tire Quality
Grading96
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth97
– winter tires98
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit107
Torque
– engine122
– lug bolts113
Touch signaling42
Tow bar119
Tow fitting118
Towing118
– with automatic
transmission118
Towing eye118
Tow rope119
Tow sockets for tow
fitting118
Tow starting118
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor55
Track width, refer to
Dimensions123
Traction96
Traction control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control51Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic40
– manual transmission40
Transmission locking
mechanism, refer to
PPark41
Transmission malfunction,
refer to Malfunction41
Transporting children
safely35
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing cargo86
Traveling on poor roads87
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tread depth97
Tread wear96
Tread wear indicator in tires,
refer to Minimum tread
depth97
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer46
Trip odometer46
Trunk lid, refer to Liftgate22
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions123
Turning lamp60
Turn signals41
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs109
– side, replacing bulbs110
U
Units48
– outside temperature48
Universal garage-door
opener, refer to Integrated
universal remote control69
Universal remote control69
Unlocking
– from inside21
– hood100
– with the remote control19
Unlocking and locking doors
with the remote control19
Upholstery care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
V
Valve screw caps, refer to
After mounting113
Vehicle
– battery114
– breaking-in82
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– cargo loading85
– dimensions123
– disposal, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– locking from inside21
– parking39
– washing, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– weights124
Vehicle battery114
Vehicle jack112
– jacking points113
Vehicle Memory18
Ventilation65,68
– draft-free65,68
Viscosity103
Voice command system, refer
to separate Owner's Manual
W
Warning and indicator lamps,
overview12
Warning triangle116
Warranty, refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models,
Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian
models105
Warranty and service6
Washer fluid43
Washer fluid reservoir,
capacity, refer to Filling
capacities124
Washer reservoir, refer to
Filler neck for washer
fluid43
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray74
Weights124